Mother in safety call over narrow street in Wem

People living in Wem have signed a petition calling for Shropshire Council and their MP Owen Paterson to address problems with large vehicles on the corner of Barnard Street and Mill Street.

Katharine Smith, 38, lives on Barnard Street and said she set up a petition after being left worried about walking along the road with her children, aged six and three.

She said: "I'm fed up of finding my heart in my mouth every time I walk up or down Mill Street with my children, so I started a petition.

To sign the petition visit www. change.org

"Between the corner of Barnard Street and Mill Street in Wem is a particularly narrow stretch of road with heavy volumes of traffic including coaches, tractors and lorries.

"They often have to mount the pavement, particularly if they meet a similarly-sized vehicle heading the opposite way.

"I am seriously concerned for the safety of pedestrians on this part of Mill Street. Despite there being a 20 miles per hour speed limit, this is neither adhered to nor monitored.

"The pavement is narrow and uneven in places."

Mrs Smith added: "When it is refuse collection day, getting past bins – particularly with a pushchair – without having to resort to stepping into the road is virtually impossible.

"It's extremely worrying taking small children along this road – and I imagine equally worrying for people with mobility problems."

The petition, which has been set up on campaign website Change.org, has received more than 60 signatures so far and Mrs Smith hopes to raise as much awareness of the issue as possible. The mother-of-two said she had previously written to Shropshire Council and Mr Paterson about the problem, but was told she must instead address Wem Town Council.

She said: "I am advised that I should be addressing the town council and that if I can provide evidence of community support for improvements to the road here, it can then be put forward to Shropshire Council as a 'community led' concern. I know this is not the only place in Wem which is in need of improvement but it's a start."

Now, she is collecting as many signatures as possible to show community support for the project in the hope it will build a discussion around something being done.

And while Mrs Smith said she is not sure what could be done to solve the problems, she feels something must be put in place to stop an accident from happening.

She said: "I have heard so many people say it is taking your life into your own hands when you're there. Even speed bumps would help slow vehicles down, or a traffic light system so traffic goes one way at a time. I am sure something can be done to sort it out."

The news comes just months after an existing speed limit zone was extended for the entire length of Drawwell Lane, Wellgate and Leek Street.

It was also extended in Mill Street from its junction with High Street to near its junction with Eckford Park.